• Communications Audit
• 2006-2007 enrollment
• Emergency Preparedness grant
• Teacher wins national award
• December fact sheet
• Board of Education meetings

Leah Vollack
President, World Wide Music, Sony Pictures
Pomona High School alumna

The Bright Stars program recognizes Jeffco Public Schools' graduates who have gone on to distinguished careers or
have accomplished a significant achievement. If you have
a Bright Star you would like to nominate please e-mail Communications Services.

Board of Education receives district communications audit

Jeffco Public Schools has long been known as a high performing school district, and today, that reputation still stands with the community according to the results of a recent communications audit.

At the request of the School Board, Schoolhouse Communications and the Colorado Association of School Boards (CASB ) conducted an audit of the district's communications efforts. The three-month process included 21 individual interviews; 14 focus groups with community members, parents, students and staff; an online employee survey and an analysis of district publications and the district Web site. According to the survey, the district has:

• A reputation as a high-achieving district.
• A strong core of community supporters who are willing to advocate for the schools.
• A superintendent who is regarded positively for her community outreach.
• A strong relationship between the community and neighborhood schools.
• Principals who are seen as key, credible sources of information.

The audit identified six major communication challenges the district should address:

• The scarcity of resources has significantly hindered the district's ability to communicate effectively.
• If external communication is to be effective, internal communication, including customer service, should be improved.
• The district needs to develop a strategic and proactive communication plan.
• Jeffco Public Schools must capitalize on existing community support and more effective use of “networks” to communicate with parents and taxpayers.
• The district must do a better job of organizing its listening programs and demonstrating to the staff and community that it is listening.

In the next few months, the Board of Education and staff will analyze the report and determine the feasibility and priority of implementing the recommendations .
What are your thoughts about the communications audit?

Jeffco Public Schools has released 2006-07 enrollment figures, which show the district's declining enrollment has slowed. The 2006-07 enrollment is 84,790 students, a decrease of only 293 students from the previous year. Last year saw a decrease of 395 students for the state's largest school district. (see chart, below). These numbers may be adjusted based on the outcome of a review by the Colorado Department of Education.

Several district-wide grade level totals saw increases in enrollment this year: kindergarten (+13), first grade (+55), second grade (+236), fourth grade (+98), eleventh grade (+45) and twelfth grade (+5).
What are your reactions to the latest enrollment figures?

Jeffco Public Schools is celebrating its third teacher, in as many years, to receive the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award.

Karen Brown, a third and fourth grade teacher in the Gifted and Talented Center at Coronado Elementary School, is a 2006 Milken award winner and the recipient of $25,000 in unrestricted prize money. She is one of 100 educators across the nation selected for the prestigious award.

The Milken Awards are called the “Oscars of Teaching” by Teacher Magazine and were created by the Milken Family Foundation to celebrate and elevate teachers across the country.  Teachers are recommended for the award program without their knowledge by their respective state departments of education. Teachers are judged on factors such as exceptional educational talent that is evidenced by outstanding instructional practices in the classroom, school, and profession; outstanding accomplishments and strong long-range potential for professional and policy leadership; and having an engaging and inspiring presence that motivates and impacts students, colleagues, and the community at large.
Send your congratulations to Ms. Brown

The district also encourages all Key Communicators to watch and share the 2005-2010 Capital Improvement Program video. The video (requires Windows Media Player) includes an overview of the $400 million construction program, interviews and current footage of several of the district's largest projects.
How can we better communicate our construction news?

The Board of Education holds study/dialogue sessions (Seminar Room, 4th floor) and business meetings (Board Room, 5th floor) at the Educational Services Center, 1829 Denver West Drive, Bldg #27, Golden, unless otherwise noted.